Zinc and later model engines?

I know the later model engines don't need zinc in the oil but would it help increase gas milage or hp if it was added to a later model engine?

I wouldn't think so.

um. no.

they took it out of oil because late model engines don't need it.

or, rather...they discovered the zinc was plugging up cat converters, and they were forced to re-design the engines to not need zinc, in order to meet fed. emissions laws.

so, if you run high zinc oil in a late model engine...you're running the risk of plugging up your cat.

you'd get better mileage from running a lightweight synthetic oil that flows better. I'd go that route before I put high zinc oil into a modern, non-performance, EFI, emissions controlled vehicle--especially since late model stuff is built to much closer tolerances than the old school stuff, and they can get away with lighter viscosity oils.

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I know the later model engines don't need zinc in the oil but would it help increase gas milage or hp if it was added to a later model engine?

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Zinc is still used in modern day API (SN) rated motor oils, just not to the extent it was used in the past. Engines still need anti-wear additives, formulators are just utilizing other combinations of anti-wear additives and better base oils to take the place of the reduced levels of ZDDP.

For example: Zinc is still at the 800-to-900ppm range and Phosphorus is in the 600-to-800ppm range. They're also using Molybdenum and Titanium to name a few of the ways anti-wear supplementation is being achieved today.

Zinc and Phosphorus is only a small snap shot of the overall performance characteristics of modern day motor oils.